Istanbul

Istanbul Travel Guide

The undisputed cultural, economic, and historical capital of Turkey, Istanbul has enough monuments and attractions (as well as enticing restaurants and shops) to keep you busy for days. Straddling Europe and Asia, the city once known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire, has for centuries been a bustling and cosmopolitan crossroads. The Byzantine-built Aya Sofya and the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are within walking distance of each other, while other historic mosques and churches are sprinkled throughout the city. Wonderful museums, covering the spectrum from archaeology to modern art, are also here. Want to shop? Head for the sprawling Grand Bazaar or trendy new boutiques. Hungry? Istanbul is filled with top-notch restaurants, from simple kebab joints to swank rooftop restaurants and laidback fish restaurants along the shores of the Bosphorus strait, which flows through the middle of the city. Despite its crowds and bustle, this is a city that can work its charms on anyone.